The Look of Love by Mary Jane Clark Read Free Book Online Page A

house, set back from the road, provided some illumination. Hudson silently seethed, as he always did, when he coasted by the gorgeous home.
    Dr. Abernathy had done him wrong. There he was in a sprawling, luxurious mansion, with a second wife who was almost as attractive as his first one. Meanwhile Hudson was barely making his monthly bills, racking up debt, and working as a lowly desk clerk in a second-rate hotel for a boss he couldn’t stand. Where was the justice in that?
    Hudson parked his car farther down the private road, in a small clearing behind some tall bamboo plants. He got out, watchful to avoid any guests or staffers who might be outside enjoying some night air. Hudson quickly walked the rest of the way to the guardhouse. Michael was waiting there for him.
    They played a couple of hands. Hudson drank one of the beers he’d brought with him. Michael didn’t. He never did.
    “I hope Vernon Abernathy and that daughter of his appreciate what they have in you, Michael. You are such a straight arrow.”
    Michael smiled. “Not that straight. I don’t think Dr. Abernathy would appreciate the fact that I have you here to play cards every week.”
    “True,” said Hudson. “You’ve been loyal, buddy, and I appreciate it. Whenever I bump into anybody else from Elysium, they can’t wait to get away from me.”
    Michael shrugged as he shuffled the deck. “You hired me—of course I’m loyal to you. But try not to take it personally. It’s not that they don’t like you, Hudson. You were pretty popular when you worked here. They’re just uncomfortable, knowing how you were treated and all.”
    “I get it,” said Hudson, nodding. “Their allegiance lies with the hands that feed them. Vernon’s and Jillian’s.”
    “Cut,” Michael instructed, tapping his index finger on the deck.
    Hudson did as he was told. He waited for the cards to be dealt.
    “How is Jillian doing anyway?” Hudson asked. “I heard she’s finally going ahead with the wedding.”
    “Yeah, it’s on for a week from Saturday,” said Michael as he picked up his cards and fanned them. “But who knows? I heard something today that might bring up all that nastiness from last year and could knock Jillian for a loop again.”
    Hudson looked up from his cards. “What?”
    “The woman who took the acid in her face?”
    “Yeah?” Hudson leaned closer. “She’s been staying here at Elysium, right?”
    “Right,” said Michael as he slapped down the queen of spades. “All this time she hasn’t been able to recall much about the attack or her attacker. I heard today that she’s finally remembered something.”

Chapter 15
    T he word is out. Despite the extreme confidentiality that is supposed to characterize Elysium, people’s private information is discussed all the time. The staff thrives on being “in the know.” Workers eagerly and magnanimously contribute to the Elysium grapevine whatever information they pick up.
    Sometimes the whispers are about which actor or actress has checked in and what work he or she is having done. Sometimes the whispers are about the way a star has let herself deteriorate or the fact that she’s been caught with cocaine. Sometimes the whispers report the details of an intensely personal conversation overheard between a husband and a wife, a parent and a child, an actor and an agent.
    Today the whispers were about Esperanza Flores and the news that she’s beginning to have memories of the acid attack. Memories that Esperanza has been unable to tell the police, because up till now her mind has mercifully blocked them out.
    She hasn’t gone to the police. Yet. She isn’t going to either.
    One of the maids overheard her on the phone. From Esperanza’s side of the conversation, the maid gleaned that the police were coming to Elysium to interview and take her statement tomorrow.
    No way can that be allowed to happen.
    It’s too bad that it had to come to this. Jillian was the target. Esperanza was an